Preliminary study shows Covishield protects against double mutant variant

Preliminary studies carried out at CCMB show that people who have been vaccinated with Covishield have protection against the double mutant variant (B.1.617) first found in India. Protection against the variant was also seen in people who have been previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Preliminary studies show that people who have been vaccinated with Covishield … Continue reading Preliminary study shows Covishield protects against double mutant variant

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CCMB, IGIB start sequencing novel coronavirus genome

With CSIR labs now permitted to test samples of novel coronavirus, Hyderabad-based CCMB and Delhi-based IGIB have started sequencing the genome. CCMB has already sequenced the genome of five isolates. As on April 7, India has shared nine whole genome sequences of novel coronavirus (SRAS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) … Continue reading CCMB, IGIB start sequencing novel coronavirus genome

Cow dung makes cows susceptible to diseases and infection, leading to stress

Old, non-lactating cows housed in traditional cow shelters tend to have higher stress when among other factors there is cow dung in places where the cows lie down and there is no access to open yards.  The study says cow dung makes cows dirtier, and susceptible to diseases and infection, leading to stress. CCMB team … Continue reading Cow dung makes cows susceptible to diseases and infection, leading to stress

Human disturbances stress Indian tigers, may reduce fertility

CCMB researchers in collaboration with a Russian team have found that Bengal tigers in three India tiger reserves are 20% more stressed. The stress is caused due to higher anthropogenic disturbances from tourists and visitors and higher population density.  Elevated stress in tigers can negatively impact reproductive hormones leading to reduced fertility and reproductive failure. … Continue reading Human disturbances stress Indian tigers, may reduce fertility

CCMB develops paper-based device to determine lipid profile

CCMB researchers have fabricated a paper-based microfluidic device for rapid determination of lipid profile. Cholesterol and triglycerides can be detected in less than eight minutes and only 10 microlitre of serum sample is needed. The device has to be validated with more blood samples. A portable, cheap, point-of-care diagnostics for rapid determination of total cholesterol, … Continue reading CCMB develops paper-based device to determine lipid profile

Social factors too determine skin colour of Indians

Researchers from CCMB and other international institutions have found that socio-cultural factors had a bigger influence on skin colour variation in Indians than genetics (6.4%) and environmental factors (16%). While the SLC24A5 gene variant rs1426654-A is usually associated with lighter skin colour in most Indian populations, an intriguing pattern was seen in two specific populations studied. … Continue reading Social factors too determine skin colour of Indians

Now, CCMB students undertake outreach programmes

Twelve PhD students of CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, have started a new initiative of interacting with undergraduate and post-graduate students belonging to different colleges in the city to raise awareness about career opportunities and several scholarships available for PhD programmes. The first meeting with post-graduate students at Loyola Academy, Alwal, was held … Continue reading Now, CCMB students undertake outreach programmes

CCMB develops a novel drug-delivery system for treating keratitis eye infection

Scientists at the Hyderabad-based CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) have developed a novel drug-delivery system for treating fungal keratitis. Keratitis is the inflammation of the eye, which starts with redness and itching and might eventually lead to blindness. Keratitis is caused by both bacteria and fungi. Fungi attach themselves to the cornea and … Continue reading CCMB develops a novel drug-delivery system for treating keratitis eye infection

CCMB: Can alpha chain of clusterin protein control weight, fat gain in animals?

The two chains of clusterin protein, which are normally expressed in several tissues and can be found in several body fluids, when present together tend to lower lipid levels but administration of one of its chains — alpha or beta — results in completely different outcomes. Cells treated with a recombinant beta chain tend to … Continue reading CCMB: Can alpha chain of clusterin protein control weight, fat gain in animals?

Ostriches existed in India over 25,000 years ago, DNA evidence shows

Based on a DNA analysis of a fossilised eggshell fragment of ostrich, Indian researchers have for the first time found molecular evidence to confirm the presence of these birds in India more than 25,000 years ago. Scientists found 92% genetic similarity between the fossil eggshell samples and Struthio camelus, an ostrich species found in Africa. … Continue reading Ostriches existed in India over 25,000 years ago, DNA evidence shows